Sourcemap is the crowdsourced directory of product supply chains and carbon footprints. For some manufacturers/retailers I think it would suit their brand ethics to be publishing these types of maps along with their products. We have a local organic farmers market where each fruit/vegetable stall has a label of the “food miles” that the item [...]

I met Nat Palaskas in the old ZigZagu a few weeks ago and she was telling me about a Japanese Textiles tour that she is organising with Bryan Whitehead. Here’s the site for the tour: http://japanesetextilestudytour.blogspot.com.au/ It’s a blog, so perhaps read the introduction and the brochure.  Contact them if you’re interested.   The tour [...]

Good article about the Japanese doing some of the best things in the world. I don’t think they do it for money or glory. Perhaps it’s for the pride in perfection, and transcending the base objective to take it to an artform. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240529702045424045… Via Blue in Green It’s a mistake to think all of Japan [...]

Niche Specialists will take Denim Into the Future Two of the world’s biggest players, Gap and Levis, have suffered runs of poor sales. According to the analysts Koncept Analytics, the market’s double-digit growth is gradually – perhaps inevitably – declining as sales channels reach saturation point in a general absence of innovation. … “When we [...]

Scientists analysed ancient Mayan colour to determine its super durability. A combination of indigo and clay produces a pigment that should last 1000 years. http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/07/27/x-ray-study-reveals-secrets-ancient-mayan-technology/